BY Ryan McDougall | April 5 | comments icon 0 COMMENTS     print icon print

4-Norah-Magennis-103

‘I met cardinals, bishops and even popes,’ says secretary, as she retires after 31 years

St Andrews & Edinburgh Archdiocese has bid a very fond farewell to secretary, Norah Macgennis, who has retired after three decades of faithful service.

“I suppose because I was working for the Church that I have loved my job so much,” Norah said.

“The Archdiocese has been a lovely place to work, there has been great camaraderie with everyone I met, there are so many great people here.”

Norah began her professional life with the archdiocese in 1988 when she was recruited as a secretary working within the Archdiocesan Offices in Edinburgh.

 

A varied career

Four years later, however, she became personal secretary to Archbishop Keith Patrick O’Brien.

She was due to retire six years ago but offered to stay on ‘for a while longer’ in her post to assist the newly appointed Archbishop Leo Cushley.

“Over the years I have met cardinals, bishops, and even St Pope John Paul II,” recalled Norah.

“I was introduced to him when I was in Rome in 2003 when Archbishop O’Brien was made a cardinal—and then I met Pope Benedict in 2010 when he came to Edinburgh.”

 

Medalled

On Wednesday March 27, Archbishop Cushley hosted a farewell reception for Norah at his Edinburgh residence where he bestowed the Archdiocesan Medal for Outstanding Service to the Church upon her.

In attendance were the staff of the Archdiocese along with Norah’s three sisters, Mary, Eileen and Catherine, who made a surprise appearance.

Also present was Norah’s parish priest, Fr Andrew Garden of St David’s in Dalkeith, Midlothian.

“I will absolutely miss all my colleagues and friends, I’ll miss all of them: all the staff, the present and past, all the priests and sisters of the diocese who I have really had so much contact with over these 30 years.”

Leave a Reply

latest news

Celtic’s new number 11: Lourdes volunteer presents grandson’s gift to Pope Francis

April 12th, 2019 | comments icon 0 COMMENTS

A seven-year-old boy from Glasgow and his Lourdes volunteer grandmother...


Glasgow parishioners call on council to protect parish from ‘intimidating’ Orange walk during Easter celebrations

April 12th, 2019 | comments icon 0 COMMENTS

Parishioners at two Glasgow parishes are urging councillors to ­protect...


Scotland’s first deacon in modern times dies aged 94

April 12th, 2019 | comments icon 0 COMMENTS

Deacon Jacques Cooke: December 16 1924¬—March 25 2019. — By Bill Mowat ...


Bishop’s praise after donations helps diocese reduce budget deficit

April 12th, 2019 | comments icon 0 COMMENTS

The bishop of Argyll and the Isles has issued a...




Social media

Latest edition

P1-APR-12-2019

exclusively in the paper

  • Parish refurb set to ‘light up Bishopbriggs’
  • Help boost pro-life vigil as Easter approaches
  • A moveable feast built upon a rock, By Gerald Warner
  • Hugh Dougherty explores how we can fill the pews on a Sunday
  • In the last of his Saintly Journeys through Lent series, Dr Harry Schnitker looks at the saints who have shown us the way of contrition

Previous editions

Previous editions of the Scottish Catholic Observer newspaper are only available to subscribed Members. To download previous editions of the paper, please subscribe.

note: registered members only.

Read the SCO